NYCC 2021 - Did anyone buy anything? 1 1

[Guest Race]

For the first time ever, I went to a show and bought no OA because the prices were just too damn high -- and I don't hesitate to spend $10K on a page. This overinflated dealer pricing isn't my imagination -- the dealers themselves are admitting it every week on the YouTube OA shows, where we are being firmly instructed that "Dealers, NOT the market, sets prices" (Will) or some variant of "This SHOULD be SO much higher, you are getting a bargain" for pieces like covers with 1/3 real art, 1/3 original stat and 1/3 RECREATED stat (Glen and Bechara). 

I came back into the market because I love OA, but when the market becomes only the province of millionaires and "investors" pumped by dealers and Heritage, what's left for the rest of us?

Edited October 11, 2021 by Guest

[AnkurJ]

I didn’t attend for this exact reason. However I’ve bought some pieces recently for what I felt was a reasonable amount.

[tth2]

On 10/11/2021 at 9:51 PM, Race said:

I came back into the market because I love OA, but when the market becomes only the province of millionaires and "investors" pumped by dealers and Heritage, what's left for the rest of us?

Frank Robbins pages? 

[vodou]

On 10/11/2021 at 9:51 AM, Race said:

...because the prices were just too damn high

Call this dude, asap:

[TheLostDreams]

If you make an average salary (30k to 80k) and don't have any art to trade, I don't think it's worth going to shows anymore if your hope is to bring home something decent.  If you just want to go  to hang out, pass the time, take a break from things, and look, that's another thing...but the prices these days for anything decent/good is impossible for virtually most everyone.  

 

[SuperBird]

On 10/11/2021 at 4:23 PM, TheLostDreams said:

If you make an average salary (30k to 80k) and don't have any art to trade, I don't think it's worth going to shows anymore if your hope is to bring home something decent.  If you just want to go  to hang out, pass the time, take a break from things, and look, that's another thing...but the prices these days for anything decent/good is impossible for virtually most everyone.  

 

I think everyone's definition of "decent/good" is different? Tons of stuff around the $200 mark that's certainly worth owning, IMO. 

[Rick2you2]

On 10/11/2021 at 9:51 AM, Race said:

For the first time ever, I went to a show and bought no OA because the prices were just too damn high -- and I don't hesitate to spend $10K on a page. This overinflated dealer pricing isn't my imagination -- the dealers themselves are admitting it every week on the YouTube OA shows, where we are being firmly instructed that "Dealers, NOT the market, sets prices" (Will) or some variant of "This SHOULD be SO much higher, you are getting a bargain" for pieces like covers with 1/3 real art, 1/3 original stat and 1/3 RECREATED stat (Glen and Bechara). 

I came back into the market because I love OA, but when the market becomes only the province of millionaires and "investors" pumped by dealers and Heritage, what's left for the rest of us?

I did, and it was not what I usually shop for—which I think is the critical reason for so many grumpy senior collectors. Items of nostalgia, or a popular character, are in high demand, plus restricted product availability, results  in high prices (Econ 101). But, it doesn’t mean that is the only good art out there. For example, if P’nutz decided one day that he thinks there is a lot of artistic merit to Dale Messick’s Brenda Starr, he could have a field day racking up purchases. Just change your focus. I guarantee you, I did not go to the show to buy a chewed up mermaid by an artist I didn’t know, but the piece, and the gruesome story line convinced me. All for $750. That’s what the “Morelock’s”, and others, see. I barely went to the main exhibit area; mostly, I just wanted one of those free Dragonball Z bags (they ran out when I was there). No loss. As for dealer inventory, it is mostly on line now anyway.

Break the mold and don’t look back. Why live in the past anyway? 

 

[All-Star Squadman]

hmmm

Edited October 22, 2022 by All-Star Squadman

[hmendryk]

I picked up 4 pieces of art. Yes they were all for my Morlock cave, but I am pleased with them.

[RBerman]

On 10/18/2021 at 5:13 PM, hmendryk said:

I picked up 4 pieces of art. Yes they were all for my Morlock cave, but I am pleased with them.

The best kind of buy!

[pemart1966]

On 10/11/2021 at 9:51 AM, Race said:

For the first time ever, I went to a show and bought no OA because the prices were just too damn high -- and I don't hesitate to spend $10K on a page. This overinflated dealer pricing isn't my imagination -- the dealers themselves are admitting it every week on the YouTube OA shows, where we are being firmly instructed that "Dealers, NOT the market, sets prices" (Will) or some variant of "This SHOULD be SO much higher, you are getting a bargain" for pieces like covers with 1/3 real art, 1/3 original stat and 1/3 RECREATED stat (Glen and Bechara). 

I came back into the market because I love OA, but when the market becomes only the province of millionaires and "investors" pumped by dealers and Heritage, what's left for the rest of us?

I wonder how many collectors are in exactly the same boat.  

Prices are at record levels not only for great stuff but all the way down to dreck level.  

They have a nice little collection but can't afford to add any more pages due to said record high price levels.  They're not willing to "shift focus" just for the sake of spending money to freshen up the collection.

The collection is stagnating as a result and the decision is made to liquidate most or all of it in order to take advantage of these record high prices...

As a result, they're now, or soon will be, out of the hobby business and will be now or very soon just window shopping be it on line or at cons.

Edited October 25, 2021 by pemart1966

[Rick2you2]

On 10/25/2021 at 9:09 AM, pemart1966 said:

I wonder how many collectors are in exactly the same boat.  

Prices are at record levels not only for great stuff but all the way down to dreck level.  

They have a nice little collection but can't afford to add any more pages due to said record high price levels.  They're not willing to "shift focus" just for the sake of spending money to freshen up the collection.

The collection is stagnating as a result and the decision is made to liquidate most or all of it in order to take advantage of these record high prices...

As a result, they're now, or soon will be, out of the hobby business and will be now or very soon just window shopping be it on line or at cons.

Also, a lot of it is the same old s**t. I have watched one cover change hands (mostly between dealers) from $3,000 to now $5,500. It was a marginal buy at $3k, which I passed on. I sure won’t buy it for $5.5k.

[MAR1979]

On 10/11/2021 at 4:23 PM, TheLostDreams said:

If you make an average salary (30k to 80k) and don't have any art to trade, I don't think it's worth going to shows anymore if your hope is to bring home something decent.  If you just want to go  to hang out, pass the time, take a break from things, and look, that's another thing...but the prices these days for anything decent/good is impossible for virtually most everyone.  

 

"Decent" is highly subjective.  If someone is seeking to begin collecting 60s or 70's Marvel Covers or even splash pages then yeah best to think about a different hobby. As for panel pages (likely non battle, non a-list artist) perhaps they can pickup a few nice items per year?

BTW it's not what you make but what you keep I'd bet there are some in the salary range you mentioned who have little to nothing in the way of expenses. Still though your point is valid most vintage Marvel Art, and to a lesser extent DC has become a hobby for the wealthy. Although since at least the late 90's has always been a hobby for those with at least some "disposable income"

Edited October 26, 2021 by MAR1979

[rlextherobot]

On 10/26/2021 at 10:33 AM, MAR1979 said:

"Decent" is highly subjective.  If someone is seeking to begin collecting 60s or 70's Marvel Covers or even splash pages then yeah best to think about a different hobby. As for panel pages (likely non battle, non a-list artist) perhaps they can pickup a few nice items per year?

 

Agreed with this. I'm not wealthy, and am likely forever out of the market for most Silver and Bronze art of note. That said there's still plenty of fun stuff under the radar within my price range, and there's still lots of cool new artists on the rise whose work I like and am happy to add to my collection. All a matter of perspective and taste.